Respect and honor have no barriers of time and place.
On my return flight home, we were waiting in the airport and kept hearing what sounded like rain on the roof, but then it would stop. As we got closer to the departure gate area, we noticed a parade of people standing around the arrival gate areas. Every time that a man or women in uniform can through the group would applaud. There was a small group of about ten people that had signs and banners and were waiting for one soldier, but the energy and heart of those ten people spread to the rest of the waiting area and with each uniform that passed by, another applaud of cheers and thanks. It was neat to see that contagious and spontaneous recognition.
Dream big and set deadlines.
"Aunt T, I am 6 1/2."
"Yes, nephew."
"That means next time you see me, I will be 7 and I will know if I like broccoli. Because when turn 7, I am going to try it and find out if I like it."
Great reminder to dream big and set goals with deadlines. :)
See yourself the way others do...or better yet the way God does.
"Aunt T, I like your skin," 4 1/2 year old niece.
"Why thank you. I like your skin, too"
"Aunt T, I like your ears."
"Thank you."
"T, What color are your eyes?"
"Blue."
"I like your eyes.... I like your body.... I like your nose.... I like your hair."
Great reminder of perspective -- mainly seeing ourselves the way God does. Sure, He see our sins and struggles, but He also sees the beauty. And if we be still and listen we can hear His whisper. He made in us on the inside and out. We can be humble, but still recognize that creation in ourselves and in others.
Accept no imitation.
One more nephew story; this one about the 1 year old. This trip was his first chance to meet his 2 aunts in person. Phone conversations and internet are great -- but nothing quite like the real thing. For him though, initially it was a bit confusing. See, thus far in his life he has had one lady that looks like his momma and is his mom. But, on this trip ---it was kind of a mean trick to plan on him -- but his momma has 2 sisters. And because we are sisters -- we kind of look alike. :) There were a few times that he thought one of us was his mom, and then all of a sudden realized we were not. And then we heard about it -- in the form of some pretty impressive crying. He knew that something was off and wanted what he knew to be his one true mom.
Love is a choice...that never loses its romance.
I always love to visit my grandparents. They have such great stories and such great love. This story however is about them. You see, every day Grandpa goes (chooses) to visit Grandma in the nursing home. They sit. They talk. Sometimes they bicker (Although, I think that is just to keep them young). They read. They nap. They sit. They be. They be --together. Then at the end of the day, Grandpa goes to be back at home (a five minute drive away). When it is time for him to leave, Grandma wheels her chair out into the hallway, of which her room is at the very end. They say good bye. He gives her a kiss. And then another kiss. He starts to walk away-- and then just one more kiss. Then he starts his walker down the hallway, turning back every so often to wave. Then at the very end before he hits the elevator button, he turns once more. Waves. A blows her a kiss. She does the same. And then they wait to do it all again the next day...the choice and the romance--just like they have for the last 70 years. Love is a choice..that never loses its romance.
"The shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory."
I read this quote in a book lately. It was in the context of writing down our dreams, ideas, and goals. This is something that I have failed to do for a while, but hoping to take some time soon to reflect and dream. Specifically as the read suggested, dreaming and goal setting in these areas: experiential, physical, influential, family, and travel. Watch for more soon -- or offer your inspiration, too.
